Zeiss Gas (but my bessa,s would have to go

[iandg]

This one is mybe for Joe and other Ikon users I have a serious case of gas for a Zeiss Ikon but my bessa and two or three lenses would have to go to help fund it.I think my main reason for this is the quality of the Ikon over the R4a.When im out and about with the bessa i feel i am always wrapping it in cotton wool (so to speak)incase i knock it and do it harm, i have read so many problems occur with these cameras. There are other reasons too ie the widest available viewfinder base ect.If i decide to go this route and im hoping you can help me make my mind up i will keep three cv lenses to use on the Ikon, 28 1.9, 35 1.7,and 50 1.5 or without the Zeiss glass will it just be a fruitless exercise.There is a black body in the classifieds at the moment and i may have jumped at it, if i did not have to sell first, at least this is giving me the time to make the right choice. 😕

 

[jbf]

Dont do it.


The reason is quite simple. If you have a body that works and does everything you need, why buy a new body and sell a good amount of your glass because of it?

The lenses are everything. If you have a good lens and a decent body that gets the job done, then why spend the extra on a nicer body.

I say if you want a ZI... save up for it in another way. Dont sell your glass. The worst scenario you can be in is to have a body and no lenses.




Now one thing I might do if I were you... is depending on how many lenses you have... i might sell some of them that you do have and buy nicer lenses.

Im of the idea that anyone can survive on only need three lenses. A wide (if you want) a normal and tele..... or whatever type of shooter you are.

Sure professional photographers will want different types of glass for different situations, but thats a different story.


Peronsally I work best with just picking up a lens, and carrying only that lens and just using it. Keep in mind I'm no professional, but if I was going on a trip i'd only carry 3 lenses max.

But you know yourself better than anyone else... so I would just take into consideration how much you actually use all of your lenses... and if you find yourself hardly using some, then by all means sell them. Buy better lenses if you want.... or if you dont feel the need for better lenses, then buy the zi if you really want.


I sold my Leica M3 a bout two months ago because i needed a meter in my camera and wanted the ZI's nice VF. So thats why I upgraded... however I dont see any point in me upgrading to an M7 or any other M right now. My ZI does exactly what I want it to do which is take pictures. If i wanted anything else it would be better lenses. I'd sell my lenses and buy better rather than sell my body for another to be honest.

 

[Prosaic]

This one is mybe for Joe and other Ikon users I have a serious case of gas for a Zeiss Ikon but my bessa and two or three lenses would have to go to help fund it.I think my main reason for this is the quality of the Ikon over the R4a.When im out and about with the bessa i feel i am always wrapping it in cotton wool (so to speak)incase i knock it and do it harm, i have read so many problems occur with these cameras. There are other reasons too ie the widest available viewfinder base ect.If i decide to go this route and im hoping you can help me make my mind up i will keep three cv lenses to use on the Ikon, 28 1.9, 35 1.7,and 50 1.5 or without the Zeiss glass will it just be a fruitless exercise.There is a black body in the classifieds at the moment and i may have jumped at it, if i did not have to sell first, at least this is giving me the time to make the right choice. 😕

I´d prefer the Zeiss anytime over a Bessa, just because of the better finder. You mention the viewfinder base yourself.

 

[back alley]

zeiss ikon or bessa r4a?
tough choice, and i'm serious about that.
i have both and like both and use both.
i actually prefer the 'feel' of the r4a, just seems more comfortable in my smaller hands, especially when using the half cases.
i don't see the r4a as less reliable but then i treat all my gear with great respect and have never been a camera abuser. i carry the r4a with cv 25 almost everyday in my day bag, the large domke satchel. it gets thrown into the car, sometimes into the trunk, and then into a lockable desk drawer at work.
what lenses do you have and use? do you have a few that you never use? that might weigh into things for me. i had the hex 90 but never used it and now don't miss it since i sold it.
if you want the longer base length that's understandable, but i have had no problems with the r4a and sharpness/focus issues etc.
i would be the last person on rff to say, 'hey, don't sell that to buy that', as i love the buy & sell aspect of the forum...but i will say that the r4a and the zi are the perfect mates for my taste.

joe

 

[iandg]

ZI Gas

ZI Gas

All your comments make alot of sense but if ask myself how often do i use my 15mm 25mm 21mm and 75mm the answer is not very often although it is nice to have such a choice.So i was thinking with the sale of these little used lenses it would just be like upgrading my body with the sale of my R4a as ZM bodys can sell on this forum and the bay for about $1000.Thanks Joe i wish i could have both but finances and her indoors wont allow im afraid

 

[back alley]

All your comments make alot of sense but if ask myself how often do i use my 15mm 25mm 21mm and 75mm the answer is not very often although it is nice to have such a choice.So i was thinking with the sale of these little used lenses it would just be like upgrading my body with the sale of my R4a as ZM bodys can sell on this forum and the bay for about $1000.Thanks Joe i wish i could have both but finances and her indoors wont allow im afraid

you're right that having those lenses is nice but if never or rarely used then maybe selling is not such a bad thing.
a zi with the 3 lenses you listed would be a great kit and if that satisfies (for now😉) your photo needs then i say go for it!

you can't go wrong with the zi, it really is a beauty.

joe

 

[x-ray]

The ZI is a fantastic camera in every respect. I shoot Leica M's the ZI, Nikon S3 2000 and a Bessa R2 and like all of them. Despite popular belief my current (3) MP Leicas are the least reliable of all and my current Leica lenses are the most problem prone of all lenses that I've ever owned, RF and SLR. I purchased my R2 to keep in my car and as a light weight travel kit that wouldn't freek me out if it was stolen. I keep a 35 PII and 75 with it and love the size and weight as well as performance of the kit. I'll say that of all the RF (many M Leicas) that I've owned and shot over 40 years my favorite overall is the current ZI. The reasons I like it are many, VF/RF absolutely the best, easier focusing on moving subjects and under dim light, more accurate with ultra fast lenses at max aperture, hinged back for loading vs the removable bottom and flip open back, AE that's dead on and a very accurate vertical metal shutter that won't burn and has a 1/2000 second. Also weight is excellent with the magnesium aluminum body. I would say the only down side is it doesn't have a 75mm frame for my summilux and won't take a winder like the Leicavit. The Bessa is a close cousin to the ZI. No question the ZI is a more refined camera but not to the degree that I would create any problems executing my work. The only issue of the R2 vs the ZI IMO is the narrow base RF. I've compared accuracy of focus with faster lenses and there's no question that the ZI has a good edge. Much of my work is at 1.4 to 2.8 and even 1.2 at closer distances. For that reason I favor the RF of the ZI and give it a higher score than the Bessa. If you don't shoot fast glass at close distances under poor light then I would say keep the Bessa. Changing bodies won't make any difference in your images.

 

[mfogiel]

landg
The R4A is a very nice camera, and it has no competition in the WA viewfinder coverage. I use it along the ZI, and simply the lenses up to 28 mm end up on the Bessa, and these from 35mm on on the ZI. If you wnt to make this camera nicer, you can do the following:
- get a half case for it
- get the Megaperls 1.35x magnifier for the 35 and 50mm frames
This will be less costly than buying a ZI, which cannot cover the 21 and 25mm frames anyway, while lenses beyond 50mm are better used on a SLR in any case. You could probably pick up a nice SLR camera with an 85 or 105mm lens for next to nothing these days.

 

[wgerrard]

I've got an R4M and 4 CV lenses. The only way I'd sell off the kit and move to a Zeiss is if I ended up with a lens (or lenses) significantly better than my CV lenses. I don't think I'd gain enough from switching camera bodies alone.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Will a Zeiss camera (and maybe lenses) show us better photos?

 

[kshapero]

I was an R3A man and switched to the ZI. It was not because of reliability. The reason was mostly GAS, but I am glad I did it. Why? The VF, the VF, the VF. Clear, large accurate. And just handles better. Are my photos better then when I owned the Bessa? Probably not? Two great camera, just one's greater IMHO.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I lust an Ikon now and again, but I don't see how I'd make better pictures than with my R3A. I don't need the longer baseline really, though 28mm lines and that finder would be nice.
I'm going to have to keep driing my Honda for now.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

My Honda is dry already.

 

[iandg]

Zeiss gas

Zeiss gas

Thanks to you all for your suggestions and expertly written comments i have now done my sums and it is a ZI rangefinder for me.And the good news is i can keep my R4a and not only that but i will be keeping my 21mm too.I did not realise what good prices they could be had for.Just look at that one in the classifieds now.So its goodbye Bessa L and 15mm,25mm and 75mm.I will let you know when i have one once again thanks.

Ian